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2013
IN11152013_Preston
The Big "I" provides numerous resources to assist consumer and general business writers, editors and producers with insurance-related or small business-related stories. IIABA has knowledgeable staff sources as well as hundreds of local agent spokespeople located in communities across the nation who are available to answer questions from reporters and serve as news sources on insurance-related consumer issues.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 19, 2013—A new national survey reveals consumers have an alarming lack of knowledge about their own insurance coverage. As the new year approaches, Trusted Choice® and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) say consumers should resolve to get their insurance coverage in order.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 12, 2013 – The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today commended the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Federal Insurance Office (FIO) for the release of the long-awaited report on “How To Modernize And Improve The System Of Insurance Regulation In The United States.” The report was required by the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 5, 2013 – The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today commended the U.S. House of Representatives for passing, in a 325-91vote, H.R. 3309, the “Innovation Act,” by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) which provides a legislative fix to many of the abuses of the legal and patent system by what are commonly known as patent trolls.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 21, 2013 —As millions of Americans host and attend Thanksgiving dinners across the street or across the country, many may be unaware of the risks. According to Trusted Choice® and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) party hosts need to understand their responsibilities when inviting others into their homes and serving food and drinks.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 15, 2013 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom-to-career education program, is pleased to name the InVEST Teacher of the Year Award in honor of Florida educator Gary Preston. The award will bear his name for the next five years in recognition of his distinguished career teaching InVEST for more than 20 years. Preston will be retiring from St. Petersburg Catholic High School in St. Petersburg, Fla. in May 2014.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 14, 2013 —The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) has released its 2013 Best Practices Study which found an increase in agencies with specializations, expansion of technology investment and an increase in profitability across most of the study’s six revenue groups.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 29, 2013 – The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today commended the U.S. House of Representatives for passing, in a 254-166 vote, H.R. 2374, the “Retail Investor Protection Act,” by Rep. Ann Wagner (R–Mo.). This bill aims to reform efforts by the Obama Administration to expand the fiduciary duty to broker-dealers.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 22, 2013 — Halloween is just around the corner and many consumers may not realize how frightening this spooky night could really be for their personal safety, their property or their bank accounts. Trusted Choice® independent agents can help families better prepare for Halloween hazards that may come in disguise or under the cloak of dark.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 14, 2013 – Trusted Choice® and Project CAP have announced successful completion of the initial launch and testing phase of the new TrustedChoice.com consumer website. Independent agents across the country who are interested in connecting with today’s online consumers are encouraged to enroll now.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 11, 2013 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) has announced that Joseph “Joe” P. Leahy of Northampton, Mass. was installed as the newest executive committee member at the association’s 2013 Fall Leadership Conference in San Antonio.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 10, 2013 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) has announced that David Allen Walker, AAI, CIC, LIC was installed as the association’s chairman-elect at the recent Big “I” Leadership Conference in San Antonio.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 9, 2013 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) has announced that Randy Lanoix of Donaldsonville, La. was installed as the association’s vice chairman at the recent Big “I” Leadership Conference in San Antonio.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 7, 2013 — Robert Rusbuldt, Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) president & CEO, finds serious flaws with much of a recently released study titled “Agents of the Future: the Evolution of Property and Casualty Insurance Distribution” by McKinsey & Company.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 28, 2013 — Thomas J. Minkler, CIC, has been inaugurated as the new chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”), with David Walker as chairman-elect, Randy Lanoix as vice chairman and Joseph Leahy as an at-large executive committee member. The new officers begin their terms at the conclusion of the board meeting held in conjunction with the Big “I” Fall Leadership Conference this weekend in San Antonio, Texas.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Sept. 27, 2013 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) will hold the following two events tomorrow in San Antonio as part of the association’s annual Leadership Conference.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 27, 2013 —The National Young Agents Committee (YAC) of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) presented its most prestigious annual award today to the Young Agents Council of the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents during the annual Young Agents Leadership Institute in San Antonio.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 17, 2013 – The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big ”I”) today announced a broad business and technology partnership with DocuSign, The Global Standard for eSignature®.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 12, 2013 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) Diversity Task Force and the National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) yesterday participated in a service project at an elementary school in New Orleans, La. in honor of the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 10, 2013 – Trusted Choice®, the consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers, has retained MARC USA’s Chicago office for a new marketing campaign that will promote the independent agent voice and the tailored array of services from Trusted Choice® members.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9, 2013 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) Diversity Task Force and the National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) will participate in a service project at an elementary school in New Orleans, La. this week in honor of the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 3, 2013 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, recently announced that Mike J. Abate and Patricia A. Browne have joined its national board.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 30, 2013 – Trusted Choice®, the consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers, exceeded its goal of 15,000 Facebook “shares” during the month of August one week early in a special social media campaign to raise money for Make-A-Wish®.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 19, 2013 – Marcelina Pascual, who teaches high school business and adult education classes at Roosevelt Senior High School in Washington, D.C., is the 2013 InVEST Teacher of the Year Award. The program is a key driver to attract new talent to the insurance industry.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 12, 2013 – A Trusted Choice® media buy on The Weather Channel is airing with a new ad highlighting a Long Beach Island, N.J. small business man whose pizza restaurants were destroyed and damaged by Hurricane Sandy. Joe Rulli praises his Trusted Choice® independent insurance agent for the excellent customer service that allowed him to reopen in time for the summer tourist season.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8, 2013 - InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program has awarded scholarships to the following nine students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. pursuing insurance-related degrees.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8, 2013 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program has awarded scholarships to the following students from St. Petersburg Catholic, Cardinal Mooney and Manatee High Schools pursuing insurance-related degrees.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 6, 2013 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program has awarded scholarships to the following sixteen Orlando high school students pursuing insurance-related degrees.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5, 2013 - InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, has awarded scholarships to the following nine high school students from New York pursuing insurance-related degrees.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 1, 2013 –- Trusted Choice®, the consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers, is proud to announce the third annual summer social media campaign to raise money for Make-A-Wish®. For every “share” from the Trusted Choice® Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TrustedChoice) during the month of August, Trusted Choice® will donate $10 to Make-A-Wish.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 30, 2013 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, has awarded scholarships to the following four students from Connecticut high schools pursuing insurance-related degrees.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 30, 2013 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, has awarded a $500 scholarship to John Auden from Naperville North High School in Naperville, Ill.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 25, 2013 - InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, has awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Elizabeth Demers from the Pinkerton Academy in Derry, N.H.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 24, 2013 – The InVEST program awarded Lorrie Partridge, AAI, president of Blackadar Insurance in Longwood, Fla., with the Dach Award which honors an insurance industry volunteer who has made tremendous contributions in fostering the growth and development of InVEST. The InVEST program is a key driver to attract new talent to the insurance industry.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 23, 2013 - InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, has awarded a $2,000 scholarship to Haley Hassinger from Wadsworth High School in Wadsworth, Ohio.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 16, 2013 —The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) is pleased to announce the promotion of Scott Kneeland to the role of Big “I” acting general counsel, after having served as senior counsel for the past four years. He steps into this position following the decision by Debra Perkins, IIABA’s executive vice president and general counsel, to pursue other opportunities and interests after a long tenure on the Big “I” staff.

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 11, 2013 — Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2642, the “Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013” (known as FARRM or the House 2013 Farm Bill), in a 216-208 vote.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 9, 2013 – The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) Young Agents Committee (YAC) raised more than $50,000 this year for InVEST, a one-of-a-kind financial literacy program that educates high school and college students about insurance, risk management and financial services.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 26, 2013 - InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, has awarded $70,500 in scholarships to 65 students pursuing insurance-related degrees, breaking previous scholarship records. The program is a key recruitment strategy in attracting new talent to the insurance industry.

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 12, 2013 – The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today expressed its support for bipartisan legislation, the “Access to Professional Health Insurance Advisors Act,’’ sponsored by Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) and Rep. John Barrow (D-Ga.). The bill would clarify that agent compensation is not part of the Medical Loss Ratios (MLRs) formula as enacted in the health care overhaul law.

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 10, 2013 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) commends the U.S. Senate for passing S. 954 the “Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013” (known as the Senate 2013 Farm Bill) today in a 66-27 vote. The Senate version of the bill eliminates the $5 billion a year in direct payments and places more of an emphasis on the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP) as the primary risk management tool for America’s farmland.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 23, 2013 – As the East Coast braces for the start of hurricane season June 1, the heartland continues to deal with tornado destruction. Recent events, such as the category EF-5 tornado that devastated Moore, Okla., show that Mother Nature’s wrath can be ruthless and unpredictable.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 13, 2013 – Midlands is the newest member of the Trusted Choice® consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers. Midlands, headquartered in Oklahoma City, has joined 67 leading companies nationwide as a Trusted Choice® company partner.

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 17, 2013 —The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today named United States Senator David Vitter (R-La.), who serves on the Senate Banking Committee, as the Gerald Solomon-IIABA Legislator of the Year for 2012.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 16, 2013 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today announced that Marilyn Alverio, Ethnic Marketing Solutions founder, will address the Diversity Luncheon held during the association’s Legislative on Friday, April 19, at 11:45 a.m.

The Big “I” Legislative Conference is the insurance industry’s best-attended, most effective legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place April 17-19 at the Grand Hyatt Washington Hotel in Washington, D.C.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 9, 2013 – Donald Gaddis Company, Inc. is the newest member of the Trusted Choice® consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers. Gaddis, headquartered in Chicago, has joined 66 leading companies nationwide as a Trusted Choice® company partner.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 5, 2013 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today announced that InsurBanc, a federal savings bank based in Farmington, Conn. founded by the Big “I,” is now a division of Connecticut Community Bank N.A. (“CCB”).

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 4, 2013 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, recently announced that Carol McClelland, CAE, has joined its national board. McClelland is the executive director of the Independent Insurance Agents of Nebraska (IIAN).

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 11, 2013 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) has released the results of the 2013 Market Share Study (based on 2011 data) which reveal that after years of market contraction, all property-casualty insurance premium lines grew. The study also showed that independent agents and brokers (collectively “IAs”) were well positioned to capture a substantial piece of the market going forward.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 5, 2013 – American Collectors Insurance, a national provider of insurance for collector vehicles and collectibles, is the newest member of the Trusted Choice® consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers. American Collectors Insurance, headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., has joined 64 leading companies nationwide as a Trusted Choice® company partner.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 14, 2013 –InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, is pleased to announce that EZLynx has provided its online rating tool free of charge to the hundreds of InVEST teachers, agent liaisons and students across the country.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 11, 2013 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today announced that Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas), Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services, will address the association’s membership on Thursday, April 18, 2013.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 6, 2013 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom to career education program, actively supports efforts across the country for members of the independent agency system to participate in National Job Shadow Day and year round. Numerous InVEST students, agents, brokers, company leaders and other industry leaders participate each year.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 5, 2013 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today released the following statement regarding the introduction of a Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) reauthorization bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 23, 2013 – Burns and Wilcox is the newest member of the Trusted Choice® consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers. Burns & Wilcox, headquartered in Farmington Hills, Mich., has joined 64 leading companies nationwide as a Trusted Choice® company partner.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 22, 2013 -- The leaders of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s Agents Council for Technology (ACT) and ACORD’s User Group Information Exchange (AUGIE) recently concluded joint planning sessions and agreed to work together to advance four important industry priorities in 2013: ID Federation, Real Time, e-signatures and client self-service capabilities.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 15, 2013 —As millions of Americans prepare to host and attend Super Bowl parties next month, many may be unaware of the risks they may be taking. According to Trusted Choice® and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) party hosts need to understand their responsibilities when inviting people into their homes and serving food and drinks.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 4, 2013 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) praised Congress for acting to increase the borrowing authority of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) by $9.7 billion to ensure that the current funds are not exhausted next week. The increase in borrowing authority is needed by the NFIP in order to pay the enormous number of flood claims expected from Superstorm Sandy.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 15, 2013 – InVEST, the insurance industry’s premier classroom-to-career education program, is pleased to name the InVEST Teacher of the Year Award in honor of Florida educator Gary Preston. The award will bear his name for the next five years in recognition of his distinguished career teaching InVEST for more than 20 years. Preston will be retiring from St. Petersburg Catholic High School in St. Petersburg, Fla. in May 2014.

The InVEST Teacher of the Year award is presented annually to an outstanding InVEST educator. In 2000 Preston was awarded the InVEST Teacher of the Year and his course, which gives students firsthand experience as a mock independent insurance agency, has been used as a model for dozens of other programs across the country.

“In his InVEST class, Gary offers students realistic small business experiences in the classroom and keeps them involved and enthused about learning the skills needed to excel in everyday life and in the work place,” says Jennifer Robinson, InVEST program director. “Gary’s hands-on simulation courses not only teach financial literacy and expose students to the insurance industry, but also accounting, resume design, management skills and team work. InVEST is proud to recognize and publically thank Gary Preston for committing so much of his energy and talent to InVEST.”

Each year many of Preston’s InVEST students are employed during the summer months at local agencies and companies. Many students continue to work part-time at their place of business upon high school graduation and are awarded scholarships through InVEST state and national scholarship program.

“The future of the independent insurance agency system and the industry as a whole depends on attracting new talent and InVEST is a major part of this development,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO. “We applaud the excellent educators, like Gary Preston, who carry the InVEST torch and continue stepping up to train, inspire and teach the next generation of industry leaders.”

Robinson presented the recognition on behalf of the InVEST board during the annual Florida InVEST teacher workshop hosted by the Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA). The event was coordinated by InVEST Florida state champion Lindsey Shank. Shank, who also serves on the InVEST national board of directors, graduated from Preston’s InVEST program 15 years ago and is a successful agency professional.

As a 501(c)(3) educational trust, InVEST benefits from the support of numerous insurance organizations, hundreds of agencies, brokers and volunteers. The program provides the insurance industry with motivated, talented and intelligent professionals through a support structure of state associations, board members, national staff, teachers and the many industry professionals who work in the field as classroom liaisons.

Founded in 1970 and based in Alexandria, Va., InVEST promotes insurance education in order to attract individuals to pursue a career in the insurance industry. Each year, the program prepares thousands of students for insurance-related careers with a hands-on curriculum taught in high schools, adult education centers and colleges. The high school curriculum is a business-education program that utilizes a hands-on approach which simulates an insurance agency and company operations to prepare students for various business careers and create more knowledgeable insurance consumers. At the college level, InVEST is an information-intensive curriculum of risk management and financial services. These courses provide students with a working knowledge of the basics needed to pursue careers in the insurance industry. For more information, go to www.investprogram.org.

Founded in 1896, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing a network of approximately a quarter of a million agents, brokers and their employees nationally. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance companies. Independent agents and brokers offer all lines of insurance—property, casualty, life, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.